A new resource from ARCH-E, a European initiative dedicated to enhancing the role of Architectural Design Competitions (ADCs), is now available. The project promotes ADCs as a key mechanism to support quality, sustainability, and innovation in contemporary architecture.
Architectural competitions offer a fair and transparent means of selecting high-quality design solutions. Yet many professionals—particularly young architects, women, and small or medium-sized practices—face significant barriers to participation, especially across borders.
ARCH-E (Architectural Design Competitions – High-Quality European Architecture Through Competitions) is a project co-funded by the European Union, led by a consortium of 10 partner organisations and numerous collaborators. Representing more than 560,000 architects across Europe, the project provides tools, research, and policy recommendations to make ADCs more accessible, comparable, and inclusive.
Now available online, the ARCH-E publication features:
- An interactive map of ADC systems in different European countries
- The Architects’ Needs Report, based on a survey of 1,290 architects
- A specialized glossary with 190 key terms on local practices
- A practical ADC evaluation tool to assess the quality of procedures
- The ARCH-E White Paper, offering concrete proposals to improve competition culture in Europe
We invite you to explore these resources on the ARCH-E website and join the collective effort to build a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable built environment through quality-driven design competitions.
Click here to find more information.